- 07 MAR 2020
AmaZulu FC stunned Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
The victory took relegation-threatened Usuthu to the 15th spot on the league standings, while Amakhosi remained at the top of the log.
The early momentum went to Usuthu as they searched for an early goal which could have unsettled the Amakhosi defence.
Siyethemba Sithebe and Bonginkosi Ntuli were looking dangerous in the attack for the visitors.
However, the KwaZulu-Natal giants could not seriously test Nigeria international Daniel Akpeyi in the Chiefs goal-posts.
Amakhosi improved as the match progressed and they created the first real chance in the 28th minute.
Lebogang Manyama sent Leonardo Castro through on goal and somehow the Colombian marksman placed his effort wide of the target.
The hosts were left to rue that missed chance as Usuthu broke the deadlock through their top goalscorer Bonginkosi Ntuli on the stroke of halftime.
Talent Chawapiwa’s delightful cross was headed home ? by Ntuli to make it 1-0 to AmaZulu heading into the break.
Khama Billiat and Bernard Parker were introduced prior to the second-half as Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp made a double substitution.
The Soweto giants piled pressure on the Usuthu defence, but they were left vulnerable at the back.
Siphesihle Maduna was sent through on goal twice, but the 20-year-old attacker was indecisive in front of goal and he could not punish the hosts.
Siyabonga Mbatha was in top form in the AmaZulu goal-posts as he produced a fine diving save from Billiat’s header.
AmaZulu caretaker coach Ayanda Dlamini introduced defender Phumlani Gumede as the visitors looked to contain the Absa Premiership log leaders.
Billiat had two chances in the closing stages of the match, but the former Ajax Cape Town attacker placed his headers wide of the target.
The visitors then stood firm at the back and in the end, AmaZulu secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chiefs.
Kaizer Chiefs 0AmaZulu (1) 1 (Ntuli 45’+1)
Kaizer Chiefs: Akpeyi, Frosler, Ntiya-Ntiya (Kambole 74′), Cardoso, Mathoho, Akumu (Billiat 46′), Maluleka, Baccus (Parker 46′), Manyama, Castro, Nurkovic
AmaZulu: Mbatha, Masilela, Xoki, Booysen, Gumede, Ncube (P.Gumede 83′), Sithebe, Maduna, Magubane (Ncobeni 74′), Chawapihwa (Ngubane 77′), Ntuli.© Backpage TXT
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
